Wes Bucey
Prophet of Profit
An update for 2007/2008!
So, today, I added this following stuff in edit to Post #1
The question for the job hunter is "How can I use these examples to help show MY value to a prospective employer without scaring him into believing I am some sort of evil "whistleblower" out to destroy him and his organization?"
The entire job hunt campaign has to combine the virtues of tenacity and tact.
Throughout these discussions in the occupation Forums, I have consistently stressed that any prospective employer ALWAYS has the question in his mind when making ANY decision (hiring, firing, even where to eat lunch today):
"What's in it for me?"
I am not being cynical, I'm being practical and realistic - two traits the job hunter needs in abundance. As a candidate, every communication you have with a prospective employer must follow Deming's comment (aimed at the employer then and still valid when aimed at the candidate today):
"Remove fear!"
There are many fears haunting prospective employers today and regardless of any bluster to the contrary, they will ALL welcome anything or anyone who can remove that fear. Your task as a candidate includes researching to find the most obvious and pressing fears which YOU, as a prospective employee, may be able to relieve and, hopefully, eliminate.
So, today, let's pick up the thread by listing some of those possible fears and role-playing to see how we might "raise and dismiss" those fears to help the prospective employer see you, the candidate, as "the must have, go to guy" for his team.
One of the mildest fears facing an employer looking at a new candidate is
"What if this person doesn't fit in with me and the others in our organization? How will that reflect on MY decision making?"
Let's hear some ideas on how you might inoculate each prospective employer against letting that fear deter him from selecting YOU. Then we'll identify some more of those fears and work out more "immunizations" and even "cures" for those.
So, today, I added this following stuff in edit to Post #1
It's been a year since we started this thread, and, if anything, the job market is even scarier than it was back then. We've learned of Quality slippages with sometimes horrible consequences (pet food, human food, children's toys, toothpaste) not only in products that may harm us or kill us or our loved ones and pets, but those are usually only the recalls that get the wide press notoriety.Added in edit (Dec 13, 2007):
It has been nearly a year since I started this thread. If you are reading it for the first time, trust me - none of it is "stale" information; it is all just as pertinent today as it was back in 2006 and most likely will be in 2008.
I have added some new information in post # 91 today. If it helps someone land a job even one day sooner than without, I'll be content. I'm not sure why you've chosen this thread -
- if it is for general info, to store away for future use, GOOD! We ALL need to prepare for change; change is inevitable.
- if it is because you are currently out of work and stressing, you have my sympathy, but even more, this is a roadmap to help you find your way and relieve SOME of the stress.
- if it is because you have a friend or relative currently out of work, regardless of the field of work, the information in this and the companion threads listed
Resume and cover letter - How good are yours?
The Job Hunt - Care and feeding of references
Tips to get past the "gatekeeper" when job hunting
will help them focus on the task at hand - getting a meaningful job on his or her own merit!
The question for the job hunter is "How can I use these examples to help show MY value to a prospective employer without scaring him into believing I am some sort of evil "whistleblower" out to destroy him and his organization?"
The entire job hunt campaign has to combine the virtues of tenacity and tact.
Throughout these discussions in the occupation Forums, I have consistently stressed that any prospective employer ALWAYS has the question in his mind when making ANY decision (hiring, firing, even where to eat lunch today):
"What's in it for me?"
I am not being cynical, I'm being practical and realistic - two traits the job hunter needs in abundance. As a candidate, every communication you have with a prospective employer must follow Deming's comment (aimed at the employer then and still valid when aimed at the candidate today):
"Remove fear!"
There are many fears haunting prospective employers today and regardless of any bluster to the contrary, they will ALL welcome anything or anyone who can remove that fear. Your task as a candidate includes researching to find the most obvious and pressing fears which YOU, as a prospective employee, may be able to relieve and, hopefully, eliminate.
So, today, let's pick up the thread by listing some of those possible fears and role-playing to see how we might "raise and dismiss" those fears to help the prospective employer see you, the candidate, as "the must have, go to guy" for his team.
One of the mildest fears facing an employer looking at a new candidate is
"What if this person doesn't fit in with me and the others in our organization? How will that reflect on MY decision making?"
Let's hear some ideas on how you might inoculate each prospective employer against letting that fear deter him from selecting YOU. Then we'll identify some more of those fears and work out more "immunizations" and even "cures" for those.